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LaMotta fought Sugar Ray Robinson in Robinson's middleweight debut at Madison Square Garden, New York, October 2, 1942.[5] LaMotta knocked Robinson down in the first round of the fight. Robinson got up and took control over much of the fight, winning via unanimous 10 round [5] decision.

A 10 round[5] rematch took place February 5, 1943,[5] at Olympia Stadium, in Detroit, Michigan. The eighth round was historic. LaMotta landed a right to Robinson's head and a left to his body, sending him through the ropes. Robinson was saved by the bell at the count of nine. LaMotta, who was already leading on the scorecards before knocking Robinson out of the ring, pummeled and outpointed him for the rest of the fight. Robinson had trouble keeping LaMotta at bay.[6] LaMotta won via unanimous decision, giving Robinson the first defeat of his career.

The victory was short-lived, as the two met on February 26, 1943,[5] another 10 round fight,[5] once again at Olympia Stadium[5] in Robinson's former home of Detroit. Robinson was knocked down for a nine-count count in round seven. Robinson later stated, "He really hurt me with a left in the seventh round. I was a little dazed and decided to stay on the deck." Robinson won the close fight by unanimous decision, utilizing a dazzling left jab and jarring uppercuts.[7]

A fourth fight, the duo's final 10 rounder, took place nearly two years after the third, on February 23, 1945, at Madison Square Garden, New York.[8] Robinson won again by a unanimous decision.

LaMotta and Robinson had their fifth bout at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois on September 26, 1945. Robinson won by a very controversial split decision contested over 12 rounds.[9] The decision was severely booed by the 14,755 people in attendance. LaMotta later said in his autobiography that the decision was widely criticized by several newspapers and boxing publishers. Robinson said afterward, "This was the toughest fight I've ever had with LaMotta."[10]

The sixth and final fight between LaMotta and Robinson took place at Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, on Valentine's Day, 1951. This fight was scheduled for 15 rounds and was for the middleweight title; Robinson prevailed by way of a TKO in the 13th round.[5] See below, "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre".